Pakistan is heading towards making improvements in its internet speed and reliability with the installation of a new undersea cable. The endeavor forms a part of the 2Africa Submarine Cable System, which is under scrutiny by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), with Transworld Associate (TWA) serving as Pakistan’s lending partner.
PTA provided an update on the 2Africa Submarine cable for Pakistan and disclosed the anticipated date of its launch.
According to a press statement from the PTA, “The 2Africa cable, backed by an international consortium of eight partners, including Meta and Vodafone, is set to go live in Pakistan by Q4 (fourth quarter) in 2025.”
It further stated that by facilitating Transworld Associate (TWA), Pakistan’s landing partner for the 2Africa Submarine cable, it has made notable progress in improving global connectivity.
Stretching 45,000 kilometers, the 2Africa cable is likely to connect 46 locations across Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. The cable leverages state-of-the-art SDM1 technology, providing a remarkable 180Tbps of capacity. Backed by a global consortium such as Meta and Vodafone, the cable is expected to go live in Pakistan by the 4th quarter of 2025, as confirmed by PTA.
The installation of the cable kicked off on December 1, 2024, with the first phase, known as the PLSE installation, which involves landing the cable at Hawksbay, Karachi. The second phase, the deep-sea laying of the cable, is scheduled to commence in April 2025.
Read more: China’s Sunwalk Group Starts Project To Deploy 16,000 Km Fiber Optic Cable In Pakistan
PTA claims that the project will increase connection and upgrade Pakistan’s international telecommunications infrastructure.
In terms of internet speed, the research states that Pakistan lags behind Palestine, Bhutan, Ghana, Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, and Libya.
While broadband internet in Pakistan averages 15.52 Mbps, mobile internet download speeds average 19.59 Mbps.
In terms of both mobile and broadband internet speeds, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is the world leader. Singapore and Qatar are next in line, respectively.
Internet users in Pakistan have been complaining more and more about poor internet connections and frequent disruptions during the last few months.
The nation’s freelance population has been most affected by the scenario, which has sparked worries about how it might raise unemployment rates.
The integration of the 2Africa Submarine cable is expected to significantly enhance internet speeds and reliability in Pakistan. Here are some key impacts:
- Faster Internet Speeds:
The 2Africa cable will provide high-capacity bandwidth, which will lead to faster internet speeds for users across the country. - Improved Connectivity:
With a direct connection to a global network, Pakistan will experience more stable and reliable internet services. - Reduced Latency:
The advanced technology of the 2Africa cable will help reduce latency, improving the overall user experience for activities like streaming, gaming, and video conferencing. - Enhanced Digital Infrastructure:
This project will bolster Pakistan’s digital infrastructure, supporting the growth of digital services, e-commerce, and online education.
Overall, the 2Africa Submarine cable is set to transform Pakistan’s internet landscape, making high-speed internet more accessible and reliable for everyone.
Once operational, the 2Africa cable will provide Pakistan with an additional 24 terabytes of bandwidth, significantly enhancing the country’s connectivity. Currently, Pakistan relies on around 8 terabytes of bandwidth from seven existing cables. This new undersea cable, connecting Pakistan to the African region, is expected to address long-standing complaints regarding slow internet speeds.
Work is progressing on these fronts, with the launch of 5G and fiber connectivity expected to follow. The four additional cables anticipated for next year will nearly double the country’s internet capacity, ensuring that Pakistan’s internet infrastructure is well-prepared for the next two to five years.